Colombo (News 1st);  A report on the seawater samples obtained from the site of the distressed Crude Oil Tanker, the MT New Diamond will be handed over to the Attorney General on Tuesday (15).

General Manager of the Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) Dr. P.B. Terney Pradeep Kumara said samples of all types of oil and fuel aboard the ill-fated Crude Oil Tanker were brought ashore on Monday (14).

These samples will be submitted to the Government Analyst’s Department for further tests, he added.

The maritime stakeholders involved in the MT New Diamond Operation are in the process of preparing the estimated costs incurred by the Government of Sri Lanka to douse the fire aboard the Crude Oil Tanker, said Dr. P.B. Terney Pradeep Kumara adding individual reports will be called from all stakeholders to prepare a final comprehensive report which will be presented to New Shipping Limited, the commercial owner of New Diamond in Athens, Greece.

Sri Lanka Navy divers once again were dispatched to determine if there is an internal oil leak from the MT New Diamond and Sri Lanka Navy Spokesperson Captain Indika De Silva speaking to News 1st said no crude oil has escaped the cargo of the New Diamond.

The fire-stricken ship is now lying 52 nautical miles off Sangamankanda Point.

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